Food for Thought: Charcoal or gas?

Tuesday

Weekly Food for Thought with tips for buying the right grill for you, a recipe for Grilled Potato Salad, “100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know" by the editors of Glamour magazine and more.

When you decide it's time to break out the grill, you want to find the best way to cook your burgers or bratwursts. But with all the options out there for outdoor cooking, how do you know what's the optimal solution for your open-air culinary needs?

Here are tips to help you find the perfect grill.

1. Think about the size of your space. It's an obvious factor in purchasing a grill, and it should be a primary consideration. If you have a small deck or backyard, it would not only be inconvenient to bring home a massive grill, but it could also be dangerous.

2. Consider how you are going to use the grill. For those who love the smokiness and real outdoorsy feel of cooking, buy a charcoal grill. If convenience and ease of use are your primary goals, then a gas grill will be your best bet. And for those who want the best of both worlds, there are combo grills available that are half charcoal and half gas.

3. Added features. A feature to consider is a side burner. Rather than running back and forth from kitchen to grill, you can use the side burners like a regular stovetop, which is great for preparing side dishes. You can also keep dishes warm on very low heat. For ultimate versatility, look for a grill with a steamer for convenient preparation of garden veggies.

4. Think beyond black or stainless steel. Many department stores have unique options in colors like copper and red, which can add a brilliant splash of color to your outdoor space.

5. Don't forget the accessories. Stores sell just about every grilling accessory you may need. Think cedar-grilling planks, pizza stones and grilling tools, which also come in kits.

-- ARA

Tip of the Week: Foods that normalize blood pressure

Potassium is a mineral that helps normalize blood pressure, and it can be found in more than just bananas and orange juice. Other good sources of potassium include broccoli, cantaloupe, potatoes, watermelon, mushroom, peas, milk and yogurt.

-- EatRight.org

Easy recipe: Grilled Potato Salad

24 small, new potatoes

2 tablespoons olive oil

Dash of salt and pepper

10 slices bacon, fried and crumbled

4 green onions including tops, sliced

4 hard boiled eggs, chopped

1/4 cup celery, chopped

Dressing:

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon pickle juice, dill or sweet

1 tablespoon brown or yellow prepared mustard

1/4 cup grated cheese, such as parmesan or romano

1 teaspoon celery seed

Wash potatoes and boil unpeeled until tender. Drain and cut into quarters, retaining peel. Mix sauce while cooking. Toss potatoes in olive oil, salt and pepper. Make a basket of aluminum foil with fork holes in the bottom. Add potatoes and grill over gas or charcoal, covered, for 15 minutes. Combine potatoes with bacon, onions, hard-boiled eggs and celery. Pepper and salt lightly. Fold in the sauce. Serve warm alone or chilled on lettuce. Serves 4.

-- The Repository

Did You Know?

A tender brisket requires slow, moist cooking, about 2-3 hours or until “fork-tender.”

-- FoodSafety.gov

Food Quiz

What kind of tacos have red meat inside the tortilla and are served with a piece of pineapple?

A. Tacos de Pescado (fish tacos)

B. Tacos al Vapor (steamed tacos)

C. Tacos al Pastor (shepherd style tacos)

D. Tacos de billar (billiard tacos)

-- www.funtrivia.com

Answer is at bottom of column

Wise to the Word: Yellowtail

This large (up to 100 pounds) game fish is found off the coast of Southern California and further south into Mexican waters. It's a member of the Jack family — related to Pompano — with a flavor and texture similar to tuna. Yellowtail is only occasionally available commercially. It may be prepared in any way suitable for tuna. 2. A variety of snapper.

-- Epicurious.com

Number to Know

455: One cup of shredded cheddar cheese is 455 calories.

– calorielab.com

The Dish On …

“100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know: Engagement Chicken and 99 Other Fabulous Dishes to Get You Everything You Want in Life” by Cindi Leive and the editors of Glamour magazine

Once upon a time, there was an easy roast chicken recipe, handed down by a fashion editor to her assistant, who was in search of a dish for her boyfriend. Her boyfriend loved it. He had seconds. And shortly thereafter, he proposed. Glamour published the recipe dubbing it, naturally, Engagement Chicken.

Of course, there is more to life than weddings. This cookbook also includes 99 of the magazine's other most-loved, best-reviewed dishes, all designed to get you exactly what you want in life, exactly when you want it. From Prove to Mom You're Not Going to Starve Meat Loaf to Impress His Family Chardonnay Cake, these recipes will help you cook with passion and persuasion. Because whether you re a novice or an expert, cooking should never be intimidating, and it should always be fun.

-- Hyperion

From the Beer Nut’s Blog: Samuel Adams helps small brewers

Not many businesses would give loans to help start other businesses that could potentially compete with them. But, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal, that is exactly what Boston Beer Company and its founder, Jim Koch, is doing.

He announced that as part of its Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream program, $100,000 will be set aside to help small breweries with start-up costs. That’s a great move by Koch. It shows that even though Samuel Adams is so large, Koch still remembers trying to start his brewery.

And it’s great for those hoping to start a brewery but just can’t afford it. This money could help the next great brewery get its start and provide us beer fans with some more options.

To read more from the Beer Nut, visit http://blogs.townonline.com/beernut/

Food Quiz Answer

C. Tacos al Pastor (shepherd style tacos)

GateHouse News Service

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.